Leigh Bardugo | Insight Editions

SIX OF CROWS: A DARKER SHORE

Commissioned by Insight Editions, Studio Duco created the cover illustration and a collection of interior artwork for Six of Crows: A Darker Shore, a new publication set within Leigh Bardugo's much-loved Grishaverse.

For the cover, we created an intricate etching-style illustration of a historic sailing ship, framed within an elaborate ornamental cartouche inspired by antique maritime engravings. The world of Ketterdam draws heavily on the Netherlands and the maritime trading culture of the Dutch Golden Age, making this a particularly enjoyable project for us, working from our studio in Rotterdam. Woodblock-inspired textures in the background complement the detailed linework, bringing further depth and atmosphere to the finished cover.

Alongside the cover, we developed a series of illustrated artefacts, including playing cards, pirate insignia, family crests and decorative emblems, designed to feel as though they belonged within the world of Ketterdam.

Presented as a collection of fictional documents, letters and investigative records, the book offered a wonderful opportunity to explore the storytelling possibilities of historical illustration. Each piece was developed with careful attention to detail, bringing a shared visual character to the different elements while capturing the atmosphere of Bardugo's richly imagined world.

Working closely with the art direction and editorial teams, and alongside other contributing illustrators, it was a real pleasure to help bring this unusual publication to life.

Art Direction | Matt Girard
Cover & Interior Illustration | Studio Duco
Publisher | Insight Editions